Meth blamed for death of man in police custody

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — The Kern County coroner's office said Friday that methamphetamine use was at fault for the death of a man who was in police custody at the time.

Officers received calls twice in the early morning hours Aug. 7 from the same home on Eagle Valley Place, near Wible Road and Hosking Avenue. Family members reported one of their own, 49-year-old Alexander Main, was acting violently.

Police were called off by family members after the initial call, around 3:30 a.m., after the family members said they had control of the situation. But, officers were called back a short time later.

Officers handcuffed Main when they arrived but soon noticed "shallow breathing," police spokeswoman Michaela Beard said at the time.

Main was uncuffed and CPR was started, but Beard said he didn't have a pulse and was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.